REISHI AND HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE.
Two human controlled studies
revealed that reishi mushroom extract can reduce high blood pressure
to a significant degree (systolic and diastolic), even in patients
who had previously failed to respond to established
anti-hypertensive medications. Animal studies reveal that reishi
mushroom extract reduces blood pressure through a central
inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity, although it does not slow
heart rate or induce a sedative effect in general. Under
experimental conditions, reishi mushroom extract has a mild to
moderate effect on reducing platelet aggregation, which may further
help to decrease risk of cardiovascular disease. It has also been
shown to increase endurance, blood flow to the brain and to improve
oxygenation of cells. As such, it aids energy production on a
cellular level, which may improve cardiovascular health and is used to
boost memory and intellectual capacity in some cultures, including
success in a study of Alzheimer’s patients.
